Home Survival Skills: Make an Emergency Kit

Last week we talked corded phones for their usefulness during power outages (and their general, overall cuteness). You all brought up great ideas for what you should keep stashed in case of emergencies, like Sharon, who keeps a battery-powered weather radio or Holly, who keeps everything from water to flashlights to full meals.

Courtesy of Emergency Supplies Blog

No matter how safe you may feel in your neighborhood, you can never predict when disaster will strike. It’s vital to have both an emergency kit and a plan, and to be sure you and all your family members — even children — know how to use the items in the kit and understand your family’s disaster plan.

What you keep in that kit may differ a little depending on your family’s specific needs — like extra medications or supplies for common weather emergencies in your area — but here are several items the most basic emergency kit should have:

Bottled water

At least 3 days worth of food

First-aid kit

Glowsticks AND Flashlights (don’t forget batteries!)

Blankets

Battery-powered radio

Emergency contact info

Copies of important documents

Change of clothes

Extra set of car and house keys

Spare set of contacts/glasses (I would be doomed without mine)

Paper and pen

Make sure to store your kit in a safe place where it won’t get damaged, but that it’s not so out-of-sight that you can actually get to it if there is a real emergency. A good idea is to establish an escape route, then put your supplies somewhere along that path. It also never hurts to keep a separate stock of supplies in your vehicle. Remember, when it comes to you and your family, you’re always better off safe than sorry!

I store the NEW batteries in my items in the device, such as the flashlight or battery operated candles and put one in upside down… This saves time and stress. You know you have what you need. Plus I have a safe that has is in a central area and is portable. It contains vital paperwork, ID's, etc. It can go out the door for evacuation or in the basement for emergency

Jessica YonkerJessica Yonker is a editor for HGTV.com and a professional glitter handler. She loves decorating her friends' homes without their permission and practicing for her inevitable appearance on Chopped. Like...